Colour
White/Light Opal: Translucent to semi translucent, with play-of-colour against
a white or lightgrey background, called
body colour. Black Opal : Translucent to opaque, with play-of-colour against a
black or other dark background. Fire Opal : Transparent to translucent, with
brown, yellow orange or red body colour. This material which often does not
show play-of-colour is also known as Mexican opal. Boulder Opal : Translucent
to opaque, with play-of-colour against a dark background. Fragments of the
surrounding rock, called matrix, become part of the finished gem. Crystal/Water
Opal : Transparent to semi-transparent, with a clear background, this variety
shows exceptional play-of-colour.

Play-of-colour occurs because Opal is
made up of sub-microscopic spheres stacked in a grid like pattern like layers
of ping pong balls in a box, this structure breaks up light into spectral
colours.

ChemistrySiO2 nH2O hydrous silicon dioxide.

Treatment Impregnation
with oil, wax or plastic (this improves or creates the play-of-colour and
prevents or disguises fracturing. Black plastic also creates the appearance of
black opal.) Soaking in dye, silver nitrate or sugar and acid treatments. Smoke
impregnation is another treatment used for Opal.

Inclusions There might be areas of an Opal that lacks play-of-colour or that contains
mineral inclusions or patches of rock matrix. In some natural Opals dehydration
can cause a network of cracks known as crazing.

Cleaning & Care Warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush will help maintain
the lustre of your Opal.

DO NOT use harsh solutions or
abrasives, using ultra sonic machines and steam cleaning is not recommended.
Sudden temperature changes and prolonged exposure to daylight can easily
dehydrate your Opal. Opals are sensitive to acids and alkalis and due to its porous
nature avoid perfumes, lotions and soaps on your Opal jewellery and we
recommend removing your opals when washing up. Visit us on a yearly basis for a
FREE clean and polish service.

Storing Your Opal When you are not wearing your Opal jewellery place it in a moist piece of cotton wool in your jewellery
box as it is easily dehydrated and this help lock in some of the moisture
within the stone. Store your Opals in a separate compartment in your jewellery
box to avoid damage from harder gemstones as this can cause cracks &
scratched to your Opal jewellery.

Interesting
FactsMany cultures have
credited Opal with supernatural origins and powers, Arabic legends say that it
falls from the heavens in flashes of lightening. The ancient Greeks believed
Opals gave their owners the gift of prophecy and guarded them from disease.
Europeans have long considered the gem to be a symbol of hope, purity and
truth. It is also regarded as the most magical and luckiest gem due to its
play-of-colour and was once thought to prolong and preserve the life and colour
of blonde hair.

Opal contains up to 20% of water that
is trapped within its silica structure